Fall River man accused of stealing copper from Somerset Berkley high school roof held on $10K bail

Tuesday

Jul 24, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 24, 2012 at 2:38 PM

A Fall River man who was allegedly caught stealing copper as Somerset police lay in wait on the roof of the high school was arraigned in Fall River District Court on Monday.

Jo C. Goode

A Fall River man who was allegedly caught stealing copper as Somerset police lay in wait on the roof of the high school was arraigned in Fall River District Court on Monday.

Raymond Robidoux, 33, of 444 Montaup St., was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail, said Bristol County District Attorney spokesman Gregg Miliote. He is charged with two counts of larceny from a building, malicious destruction of property, trespassing, attempted larceny and possession of burglary tools.

Somerset Police Chief Joseph Ferreira told The Herald News on Saturday that he and other police officers hid on the roof of Somerset Berkley Regional High School on Friday night after a tip that Robidoux was recently selling scrap metal.

On Thursday, officers had discovered tens of thousands of dollars of copper flashing missing from the roof after school officials complained the school had substantial water damage and an inch of water in the gym.

For several hours, the police waited for Robidoux who, Fereira said, was eventually spotted climbing the roof and carrying a hammer and other tools. Police arrested the suspect and a Somerset Fire Department ladder truck was used to take a handcuffed Robidoux from the roof.

Robidoux is already awaiting trial on two counts of larceny of more than $250 and trespassing stemming from allegations that he stole copper from the roof of the former Brayton Avenue School in May.

Acting on a tip, detectives went to Fall River Metals and learned a man and a woman had recently sold scrap copper, which was later identified as material taken from the roof of the Fall River school.